Hello! I am trying to finalize my itinerary for late April/early May, after much revision from feedback from other sites.

A little background info:

I already purchased a flight into/out of Dublin with a single hotel (Clontarf Castle Hotel) package from a travel agent prior to doing research (I was told it was a great deal, take it before it's gone, etc) so I had not done any research. So with that in mind, I'm trying to minimize my nights away from Dublin as the nights away from Dublin I'm effectively paying for two hotels each night.

Any useful suggestions and comments are appreciated!

 

**Tuesday
>Arrive mid-morning in Dublin

-pick up car rental
-check into hotel/drop off car
-spend afternoon/evening in Dublin

/Stay night in Dublin

**Wednesday
>Spend day in Dublin

-HoHo bus tour
-Dinner in Dublin

/Stay night in Dublin

**Thursday
>Leave Dublin around 7 AM and head towards Killarney

-Rock of Cashel
-Cahir Castle
-Michelstown Caves

/Spend the night in Killarney

**Friday
>Spend day in Killarney National Park

-Ross Castle
-Gap of Dunloe
-MAYBE Muchross House and Gardens

/Spend night in Killarney

**Saturday
>Get breakfast then drive towards Coole Park, en route to Connemara Airport

-Stop for a visit to Coole Park

/Stayin Kinvara

**Sunday
> Finish second leg to Connemara Airport in the early morning

-Mid morning flight to Inis Mor
-Dun Angus
-evening in pub

/Stay on Aran Islands

**Monday
>Spend morning taking in the Island with some hot coffee

-12:00 PM ferry back
-Get a taxi/shuttle to Connemara airport to pickup car rental
-drive back to Dublin

/Stay in Dublin

**Tuesday
>Either see more in Dublin OR do a day trip to either Kilkenny or Glendalough (see how we feel, whether we want more adventure or to be lazy)

/Spend night in Dublin

**Wednesday
>late morning flight back to States

**Thursday
>Wish we were still in Ireland

Location is good right in town park the car over on the square. have driven past many times but don't know anyone who has stayed there. my nose twitches when a place has been open for just 3 years and already has 50 TA reviews with no niggles nasty. Perhaps it is the best thing since sliced bread let me know after you stay there.

Sounds similar to a trip you have planned... Clare then Aran?

-- Edited by tony2phones on Thursday 10th of January 2013 03:19:39 PM

While missing out on a breakfast or two might not be a big deal, it might be worth knowing that there does seem to be a particular Irish schedule. If, like me, you're somebody who thinks the best part of the day is 6:00 am to noon, it might come as a shock. If possible, it's best to adjust to the prevailing schedule of eating a leisurely breakfast not before 8:00. If you want to experience the lively pub culture, you need to plan for being there after 10 pm. If you're very active, that might mean planning some down time or a nap in the afternoon or early evening. But if you are out until late, your inclination for early rising will be less! It's been a few years since I was last in Ireland, but I think things are pretty quiet until 10 am, unless you want to be out early walking, running or doing a solitary outdoor activity.

Michele Erdvig wrote:

---

So you have 5 nights away from Dublin. Had you thought about spending a night in Galway, Salthill, Spiddal or Barna instead of Kinvara? It will put you much closer to the airport for your early morning flight. Plus if you are west of Galway already you won't be dealing with a lot of Galway traffic in the morning.

Breakfast in Ireland is usually later than 7 am. Departing at 7 am may mean skipping breakfast. If a breakfast is included in your room rate it would be a pity to miss out. Re-adjust your schedule accordingly.

---

Michele,

I'll review getting closer to Galway for the night. We don't mind skipping breakfast one morning, if we have to. There's a flight at 1010 and the Kinvara Guesthouse said it would take us 1.5 hours to get the airport. That doesn't seem terrible to me as I'm OK with skipping breakfast once.

However, I'm not opposed to driving a little further than Kinvara. I chose it rather arbitrarily from a map :)

 

Andi,

I understand the pace is different there and I plan on adapting where I can :) I sleep about six hours a night... so I plan on doing light pub activity and then waking around 7 AM :)

Mj, as it is a Sunday, you should be okay with that hour and a half parameter...but still give yourselves a wee bit of extra...to allow for wrong turns and the sort

Tony, mo chara, fruit scones and Soda bread....mind yourself...you might not ever get us to leave

Have you seen my set's on Flickr? am over in Southport just now with restricted access but just have a look. They were taken a few years back in the floods so some of the Lake isn't lake anymore.